Emerging Cleveland, Ohio-based hard rock musician Cory McComas has had an unusual and inspirational musical path. Since Cory didn’t have any prior musical training and just began playing the guitar in September 2021 as an adult, his story serves as a powerful illustration of how it’s never too late to follow your love. Three of his original songs have been written, produced, and released in the last eight months, and more are planned. In a short amount of time, he has accomplished what many would believe impossible.
Cory has become well-known in the hard rock world thanks to his persistent passion for music and his ambition to create. He speaks about the struggles and victories in his life with a raw, genuine vocal style that is complemented by powerful, downtuned guitar riffs in his music. For anyone who has ever doubted their capacity to realize their aspirations, Cory’s work is a call to action rather than merely a compilation of tunes. A source of inspiration and hope for young artists everywhere, his meteoric rise from total amateur to growing star in such a short period of time.
Cory McComas released his most recent single, “Stand Up,” on August 9th, 2024, so, get ready for an incredible experience. This hard rock song addresses the underlying hardships we all experience, whether they are marital problems, addiction, or internal conflicts. It is a potent statement of resilience. With its combination of intense vocals that represent a ferocious struggle between Cory and his demons and his heavy, downtuned guitar riffs, “Stand Up” exemplifies Cory’s growth as an artist. The song is a global hymn for everyone facing their own challenges, not just a mirror of Cory’s own. Professional drummer Fernando Lemus, who adds a hard-hitting edge to the music, works with Cory to create a song that is both incredibly personal and incredibly accessible to everyone.
The first thing that struck me when I listened to Cory McComas’s most recent single, “Stand Up,” is how intense the song is right from the start. The tune is an excellent assault on the senses; it does more than just play. This goes beyond just a song; it’s an encounter, an auditory voyage that seizes your attention and won’t let go. The potent soundscapes that Cory and Fernando Lemus, who plays drums so expertly, have produced utterly engulfed me. It’s hard to remain motionless when you feel the tangible energy, which appears to echo throughout your entire being. Not only does this song capture your interest, it demands it.
From the opening moments of “Stand Up,” I was lulled into a false sense of calm. The initial sounds are deceptively soothing, a combination of rhythmic drum movements and a gradually engaging melody that drew me in. But then, at exactly 0:11, the music explodes with an intensity that caught me completely off guard. A cacophony of noise seemed to have replaced the stillness that before the storm. The guitar riffs are razor sharp, the drum rhythms nearly primal in their intensity, and the guitars themselves are thrilling. The mix was surprisingly deepened by the delicate piano lacing, and the bass lines added a powerful, anchoring weight to the mayhem. When combined, these components created a cacophony of noise that had an almost overwhelming force.
As the song progressed, I found myself mesmerized by the way the instrumentation, while complex and intense, maintained a certain simplicity that made it all the more powerful. Cory’s ability to produce a wall of sound using only the most basic elements is astounding. The piano, guitars, bass, and drums all worked in unison to create an intense and cogent soundscape that was all part of the song. Though it was fast-paced and occasionally even frenzied, the rhythm never felt disorganized. As an alternative, the song had a purposeful, restrained energy that gave the impression that it was a live, breathing thing.
However, the vocal delivery was what really caught my attention. It was as though the last piece of a complicated puzzle had finally fallen into place as the singer finally came into the mix. The ferocity of the musicianship was perfectly matched by the raw, passionate energy of the singer’s voice. There was a zeal in his delivery, a commanding presence that made it clear this was a battle cry, a stand against whatever demons he was facing. The vocal harmonies, representing those very demons, added a haunting counterpoint that only heightened the emotional impact of the song. It felt like a conversation, a struggle between light and dark, with the singer ultimately emerging victorious.
As I continued to listen, I noticed how the song’s structure added to its overall impact. Around the 2:50 mark, the song started to remove its layers, giving the music a chance to gather itself before exploding into yet another powerful buildup. This brief respite was short-lived, though, as the song rapidly intensified once more until reaching an incredible conclusion that left me speechless. With every element kicking in, the song’s last three minutes, from 3:06 on, was a full-on assault on the senses. The intensity was constant yet never seemed oppressive, more like tremendous force.
“Stand Up” struck a deep emotional chord with me in terms of theme. I believe that many individuals, including myself, can connect to the song’s story of battling inner demons. It’s a global dilemma, and Cory’s portrayal of it feels both deeply relevant and universally relatable. The song’s message is deepened by the masterful artistic decision of having his vocals battle it out with the harmonies, which stand in for his demons. There’s a sense of hard-earned, immensely rewarding triumph at the end of the track when Cory’s voice gets the last word. It serves as a reminder that success is achievable in any battle, no matter how challenging.
“Stand Up” is an excellent hard rock song that hits all the right notes. Every element of this song, from the dramatic vocals to the forceful instruments, has been carefully composed to provide a sound that is both musically and emotionally compelling. Along with showcasing his musical prowess, Cory McComas and Fernando Lemus collaborated to create a song that highlights the human spirit’s tenacity. I’ll be listening to this song a lot because of its uplifting message and outstanding sound quality. I really can’t suggest “Stand Up” enough; it’s more than simply a song; it’s a cry to arms and a reminder to resist the darkness.
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